Algae growing in S/H medium

[Ranchnanny]

I have all my orchids in S/H medium and some of the containers are showing signs of algae growing towards the bottom. Two containers outside the orchidarium and a few inside the orchidarium. What can I wash through to get rid of it?

Sheridan

[Des]

Sheridan , I have never found algae in my pots to be a problem , it does not seem to affect the growth of my plants . It would be interesting to read if anyone has had problems.

[Ranchnanny]

Thanks Des it just looks yukky.

Sheridan

[Chubidubi]

Since I live in a very hot/humid island most of the pots, even the wooden baskets have some algae. I personally think that it gives them some character

[Ranchnanny]

Thanks Wanda as long as it doesn't interfer with the orchids growth. BTW where in Puerto Rico do you live? My dad was born in San Juan and most of my relatives came from Spain via Puerto Rico way back when.

TTFN - Sheridan

[orchidjunky]

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

Thanks Wanda as long as it doesn't interfer with the orchids growth. BTW where in Puerto Rico do you live? My dad was born in San Juan and most of my relatives came from Spain via Puerto Rico way back when.

TTFN - Sheridan

Just curious if you decided to leave the algae or get rid of it? I'm too lazy to get rid of it and I think i'll leave it alone unless it plugs up the holes! but yeah did you leave it... and if so did u notice any problems with your orchid growth?

[Chubidubi]

I live in San German which is on the other side of the island.

[Becky15349]

Hey all! I'm new here, but I'm a S&H nut, so I just thought I'd chime in....the algae in my pots grosses me out too, but frankly, the stuff you'd have to use (Physan or something similar) to get rid of it is pretty gross too, not to mention toxic...so I opted to let me algae kinda do its thing :-) I agree tho - its nasty!!! The plants don't seem to be effected by it though - so its all good.

[orchidjunky]

Originally Posted by Becky15349

Hey all! I'm new here, but I'm a S&H nut, so I just thought I'd chime in....the algae in my pots grosses me out too, but frankly, the stuff you'd have to use (Physan or something similar) to get rid of it is pretty gross too, not to mention toxic...so I opted to let me algae kinda do its thing :-) I agree tho - its nasty!!! The plants don't seem to be effected by it though - so its all good.

Thats good to hear.. i keep reading that it's purely an aesthetic issue and will not harm the orchid... so i guess i won't use my physan! I just don't want the algae to be putting any harmful waste products in the reservoir.. but i've also read that they can be beneficial?? though i wonder if thats true and why?

[ericst11]

if you want to keep algae form growing . don't grow in a see through pot because the algae needs light to grow or grow in a plastic slat pot so you get more air and it drys up.